Video: Creating offsets

In this lesson we are going to look at another way to copy our geometry. This time we'll use the Offset command. What makes Offset special is that it makes parallel copies of our line work. On my screen I have a couple of entities. I have got a line segment and a circle. Let's create a parallel copy of this line segment first. To do that, I will launch the Offset command. Offset is located in the Modify panel of the Ribbon. The icon is right here. Now that I have launched the command, AutoCAD is asking me for an offset distance. This is the distance between my copies. I am going to type 0.75 and hit Enter.

Join Jeff Bartels as he covers the most important features of this industry-standard drafting and design application in AutoCAD 2011 Essential Training. This course begins with a tour of AutoCAD's interface and the tools used to create basic shapes. It then focuses on the methods used to modify and refine geometry while emphasizing accuracy and good habits to build a solid design foundation. The course covers using layers, line types, and colors to organize a drawing file and explains how to efficiently annotate a design and prepare it for final output. Throughout the title, Jeff shares industry techniques used in production and reinforces concepts using practical examples. Exercise files are included with the course.

Creating offsets

In this lesson we are going to look at another way to copy our geometry.This time we'll use the Offset command.What makes Offset special is that it makes parallel copies of our line work.On my screen I have a couple of entities.I have got a line segment and a circle.Let's create a parallel copy of this line segment first.To do that, I will launch the Offset command.Offset is located in the Modify panel of the Ribbon.The icon is right here.Now that I have launched the command, AutoCAD is asking me for an offset distance.This is the distance between my copies.I am going to type 0.75 and hit Enter.

Then, I will select the object I'd like to offset and finally I will click onscreen to identify which side of the line I'd like to make my copy.I am going to click on this side, and notice I am still in the command.This is because AutoCAD always assumes you would like to create multiple offsets.If I would like to offset the same line to the other side, I could select theline, and I will click to this side.When I am finished, I will hit Esc.Let's create another offset.Let's say I would like to offset this circle to the inside 0.25 units.I will launch the Offset command, my offset distance will be 0.25, Enter, andthen I will select my circle and I will click to the inside.

When I am finished, I will hit Esc.Not only is offset nice for creating copies, we can also use it to findlocations and space.For instance, let's say I would like to create another circle using the samemeasurements in the lower left corner of the square.Right now I can see that the center of this circle is placed 0.75 units fromthis edge and 0.75 units from this edge.To place my circle, I will launch the Offset command.I will enter a distance of 0.75, Enter.I will offset this edge to the right, and I will offset this edge up, and then I will hit Esc.

This intersection represents the location of the center of my new circle.I will launch the Circle command, I'd like to place my circle at theShift+Right-click, intersection of these two lines, and I am given thediameter in this case.So I am going to right-click to access the Diameter sub-option and mydiameter is 0.6, Enter.Now that I am finished, I can delete my sketch lines by clicking on each ofthese and pressing the Delete key.Let's pan the drawing over a little bit more.I am going to zoom-out a little.

I'll push this up on screen.Let's see if we can use the Offset command to help us recreate thesimple mechanical part.I am going to start by creating some sketch geometry.I will launch my line command and I will create a line segment from right about here.Then, I will lock my Ortho.To do that, I will press the F8 key.I will pull to the right, and click.When I am finished, I will hit Esc.Then I will hit my Spacebar to go back into the Line command and I will createanother segment from right about here.I will pull straight down and click, and then I will hit Esc.

I am going to use these sketch lines to help me build this part.The intersection that I created right here, will represent theintersection right here.Let's draw the circles first.I will launch the Circle command, I would like to place my circle at theintersection of these two lines and the circle has a radius of 0.6.Now we will do the larger circle.I will hit my Spacebar to re -enter the Circle command.I would like to create my circle at the center of this one, and this circle hasa radius of 1.5, Enter.Now, I would like to find the center location for these circles.

To do that, I am going to use the Offset command.What if I offset this line 7 units to the right?That would give me another intersection where I could start building my new circles.I will launch the Offset command.My distance will be 7, Enter.I will offset this line to the right, and then I will hit Esc.Now, instead of creating two new circles, why don't we just copy these?I will launch the Copy command, I will select this circle and this one, and right-click.I would like to copy them from the center location and I would like to placethem to the intersection right here.

When I am finished, I will hit Esc.Let's create the lower and upper lines.Notice these lines are parallel to the center line.Another perfect opportunity to use offset.What's our offset distance though?Well, it's going to be the same distance as the radius of the circle which is 1.5.I will launch Offset, my distance is 1.5, Enter.I will offset my center line up, and then I will offset my center line down,and I will hit Esc. Alright!Let's do a little housekeeping.We will use the Trim command to clean up our line work.

I'll launch Trim, and I am going to use this circle and this circle as cuttingedges, I will hit Enter, and I would like to cut off this piece, and this one,this one, and this one, and I will hit Esc.Let's go back into the Trim command.I will do that by hitting the Spacebar, and I would like to use this object andthis object as cutting edges and I will hit Enter.I will trim off this piece, and this one, and I will hit Esc.All we have to do is build this notch.Once again these lines are all parallel to my sketch lines that I created.

So another perfect opportunity to use Offset.I am going to start by offsetting this line to the right 2 units and then 3units to find these edges.I will launch the Offset command.My distance will be 2, Enter.I will offset this line to the right and then I will hit Esc.Let's hit the Spacebar to go right back into the Offset command, mydistance will be 3, Enter.I will offset this line to the right and I will hit Esc.Finally, we will take care of the depth of this notch.I will do that by hitting the Spacebar to re-launch Offset.

My distance is 1, Enter.I will offset this line down, and then I will hit Esc.It looks like we can finish this up with the Trim command.I will launch Trim and I would like to use this edge and this edge, this edge,and this edge as cutting objects, Enter.I would like to cut off this end and this one, this one, and this one.this one and this one, and I will trim out this area as well.When I am finished, I will hit Esc.At this point, the part is finished, and I can erase the sketch lines that I started with.

To do that, I will click on each of these line segments and then I will press my Delete key.As you can see creating offsets is a great way to build your geometry on screen.I think you will find Offset to be one of AutoCAD's most useful tools.

Q: Despite following the tutorials, I am having trouble in AutoCAD Architecture 2011. I cannot copy basic line drawings of simple architecture from one file to another. I tile two AutoCAD documents open simultaneously and click on a geometry, let go, click again and hold and try to drag to the second document, but to no avail. What could be causing the problem?

A: There are a few possible solutions. At the command line, type "PICKFIRST" and press Enter. Make sure this variable is set to 1. If the value is set to 0 instead of 1, this would result in the problem described. Having PICKFIRST set to 1 (normally the default setting for "vanilla" AutoCAD) allows you to select an object first, and then launch an editing command (like Move or Rotate or Erase). Thus, you can work in both directions. Launch the Editing command first and then select objects, or visa versa.

If PICKFIRST is not the issue, the problem might be something native to AutoCAD for Architecture, as there are some differences between that version and plain AutoCAD. Don't forget, you can also move geometry from one drawing to another by using Copy/Paste. Simply select your geometry and right-click, select copy, then click in your other drawing, right-click, and select Paste. Note that the Copy/Paste options are also available on the Home tab of the Ribbon. Copy/Paste should work regardless of your PICKFIRST setting.

Sorry, there are no matches for your search "" —to search again, type in another word or phrase and click search.

Learn by watching, listening, and doing, Exercise files are the same files the author uses in the course, so you can download them and follow along Premium memberships include access to all exercise files in the library.

Already a member ?

Learn by watching, listening, and doing! Exercise files are the same files the author uses in the course, so you can download them and follow along. Exercise files are available with all Premium memberships.
Learn more

Upgrade to our Annual Premium Membership today and get even more value from your lynda.com subscription:

“In a way, I feel like you are rooting for me. Like you are really invested in my experience, and want me to get as much out of these courses as possible this is the best place to start on your journey to learning new material.”— Nadine H.

Thanks for signing up.

We’ll send you a confirmation email shortly.

Sign up and receive emails about lynda.com and our online training library:

new course releases

newsletter

general communications

special notices

Here’s our privacy policy with more details about how we handle your information.

Keep up with news, tips, and latest courses with emails from lynda.com.

Sign up and receive emails about lynda.com and our online training library:

new course releases

newsletter

general communications

special notices

Here’s our privacy policy with more details about how we handle your information.